Lake Manyara National Park Facts
By the Foot Slopes Tours and Safaris team
Our Arusha-based guides and safari planners know Lake Manyara National Park first-hand, and write this guide from experience on the ground.
Lake Manyara National Park is a compact, scenic park in northern Tanzania, set between the steep western wall of the Great Rift Valley and the shallow, alkaline Lake Manyara. Established in 1960, it forms part of the Lake Manyara Biosphere Reserve recognized by UNESCO. A large share of the park is covered by the lake, whose size changes with the seasons. Its groundwater forest, acacia woodlands and lake shore support elephants, large baboon troops, hippos, famous tree-climbing lions and hundreds of bird species, including flamingos when water levels suit them.
Lake Manyara National Park: Key Facts
Twelve essential facts to know before your private safari.
Rift Valley Setting
The park lies at the foot of the steep western escarpment of the Great Rift Valley in northern Tanzania.
Established 1960
Lake Manyara became a national park in 1960 and is managed by Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA).
UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
The wider area was recognized as the Lake Manyara Biosphere Reserve under UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Programme in 1981.
Shallow Soda Lake
Lake Manyara is shallow and alkaline, and its size changes noticeably between wet and dry seasons.
Name From Emanyara
The name is linked to the Maasai word for a euphorbia plant used as a living hedge.
Groundwater Forest
Springs from the escarpment feed a lush forest near the gate, home to blue monkeys and baboons.
Tree-Climbing Lions
Lions here are known for resting in trees, though sightings are never guaranteed.
Elephant Country
Elephants roam the forest, woodlands and lake shore, often seen close to the main track.
Hundreds of Bird Species
Pelicans, storks, hornbills, eagles and, at times, flamingos make it a top birding park.
Maji Moto Hot Springs
Natural hot springs bubble up in the south of the park near the lake shore.
Night Game Drives
Lake Manyara is one of the Tanzanian parks where guided night game drives may be arranged.
Gateway Village
Mto wa Mbu, a lively farming village of many cultures, sits just outside the main gate.
Lake Manyara Safari Packages with Transfers Included
Hand-picked Northern Circuit itineraries that include Lake Manyara National Park, tailored privately by Foot Slopes Tours and Safaris.
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Lake Manyara National Park Facts: Frequently Asked Questions
How big is Lake Manyara National Park?
Lake Manyara National Park is one of the smaller parks on Tanzania's northern safari circuit, and a large share of its total area is covered by the lake itself. Because Lake Manyara is shallow and alkaline, its surface area rises and falls with the rains, so the exact land and water split changes from year to year. The dry land forms a narrow strip between the Rift Valley escarpment and the shore, which makes the park easy to explore on a half-day or full-day game drive.
When was Lake Manyara National Park established?
Lake Manyara National Park was established in 1960, making it one of Tanzania's older national parks. It is managed by Tanzania National Parks, known as TANAPA, which oversees conservation, ranger patrols and visitor services. In 1981 the wider area was recognized by UNESCO as the Lake Manyara Biosphere Reserve under the Man and the Biosphere Programme. This status highlights the link between the protected park and the farming and pastoral communities living around it, including the village of Mto wa Mbu near the main gate.
What does the name Manyara mean?
The name Manyara is widely linked to the Maasai word emanyara, which refers to a spiky euphorbia plant that local Maasai communities grow as a living hedge around their homesteads and livestock enclosures. The plant still grows in the area today. Over time the name came to describe the lake and the surrounding land at the foot of the Rift Valley escarpment. Your guide can point out the plant and share more about Maasai traditions and the history of the region during your private safari.
Are there really tree-climbing lions in Lake Manyara?
Yes, Lake Manyara National Park is famous for lions that sometimes rest in the branches of acacia and mahogany trees, a behavior seen in only a few places in Africa. Sightings are never guaranteed, because the lions move around and do not climb every day. Your chances improve with time in the park and a guide who knows the woodland areas well. Even without a lion in a tree, the park offers excellent elephant, giraffe, buffalo, hippo and baboon viewing on most game drives.
What animals and birds live in Lake Manyara National Park?
Lake Manyara National Park supports elephants, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, impalas, hippos, lions, leopards and some of the largest baboon troops in East Africa, along with blue monkeys in the groundwater forest. Birdlife is the park's other great strength, with hundreds of recorded species, from pelicans, storks and hornbills to crowned eagles. Flamingos gather on the lake in varying numbers depending on water levels. The park does not have rhinos, so most travelers combine it with the Ngorongoro Crater on a private safari.
Plan Further: Lake Manyara National Park Guides & Resources
Explore Lake Manyara National Park
- Lake Manyara National Park Overview
- Lake Manyara National Park Map
- Lake Manyara National Park Wildlife
- Lake Manyara National Park Birds
- Lake Manyara National Park Best Time to Visit
- Lake Manyara National Park Weather & Climate
- Lake Manyara National Park How to Get There
- Lake Manyara National Park Fees
- Lake Manyara National Park Malaria & Safety
- Lake Manyara National Park Photos
- Lake Manyara National Park Reviews
- Lake Manyara National Park Safari Tours
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